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Coubertin was inspired by archaeological explorations of ancient Greece. He pressed for the revival of the ancient Olympic Games and won support for launching a modern Olympic Festival. Coubertin believed in the importance of physical education and saw the advantages of restoring the Olympic Games as an international event promoting world peace.

"Peace could be the product only of a better world; a better world could be brought about only by better individuals; and better individuals could be developed only by the give and take, the buffering and battering, the stress and strain of free competition."

Coubertin wanted to use sports to improve the health and values of youth and to celebrate the competition of talented individual athletes. In addition, he expected the Olympic Games to provide an opportunity for individuals from different countries and cultures to become friends with each other. We can find examples of this international search for peace and goodwill in various activities such as releasing the doves of peace at each of the Opening Ceremonies and the lighting of the Olympic flame to start the Olympic Games.

Perhaps the most famous quote associated with the Olympic Games is commonly referred to as "An Athlete's Creed" or "The Olympic Creed." These words were once spoken by Baron de Coubertin and aptly describe the theme behind each and every Olympic competition.

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

The Olympic Spirit in YOU!
Here are some questions to think about:

• Do you think Baron Pierre de Coubertin would be pleased with the modern Olympic Games?
• Why do you think he would or wouldn't be pleased?
• What do you enjoy most about watching the Olympic Games?

More Athletes

Ann Meyers Drysdale Bart Conner Billy Mills Baron Pierre de Coubertin Gail Devers Greg Barton Henry Marsh John Naber

Karch Kiraly Mary Lou Retton Matt Ghaffari Milt Campbell Nadia Comaneci Nancy Hogshead Paul Gonzales Terry Schroeder

For more great stories about Olympians, ask your librarian for books about Olympic spirit, including Awaken the Olympian Within complied by John Naber, and The Olympic Dream and Spirit, Vol. 1, 2, and 3, with Bob Schaller.